The Egyptian government is developing its railway network to provide distinguished services to passengers of trains and Cairo metro, Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir said.
Wazir said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had directed to expand and complete the railway network and develop and rehabilitate Helwan and Shubra el-Kheima train stations.
Wazir added that the political leadership also ordered establishing a giant transportation network of environmentally-friendly electric traction means, such as the three-line monorail network and the monorail and light rail projects, which constitute a major qualitative leap in the country’s means of transportation.
According to the government, the railway development project is based on several elements, including the mobile units (cars and tractors) and the rails (rails, stations and level crossings).
In addition to that, it targets developing the traffic light system to increase safety and security factors and supplying the project sites with all modern equipment, as well as training and educating workers.
Last year, Egypt witnessed several train accidents that left dozens of people dead and injured.
Wazir inspected on Saturday Cairo's main Ramses railway station and was briefed on the trial operation of its electronic gates.
He was also briefed on the new reservation system and its integration with the old reservation system and electronic portals.
According to the Ministry statement, e-gates have been installed at Ramses, Giza, Sidi Gaber, Misr in Alexandria, and Damanhour stations to regulate the entry and exit of passengers.
Wazir said the first metro line will be developed to improve the trains’ arrival times and the service provided to passengers, develop traffic, communication and central control systems, as well as the mobile units by purchasing 55 new air-conditioned trains.
